Mediterranean : Star Clipper : Eleven Night Athens to Venice

Greek fishermen bring their catch to shore at the end of the day. Their craggy faces are etched by long days at sea, toiling under the same sun that rose and set over their ancestors.

Long ago, these islands were the landing places for an endless tide of invaders from far off lands. From ancient Phoenicia, Persia, the Peloponnesus, Imperial Rome and Constantinople they came. Followed by waves of European Crusader knights, Genoan mariners, Venetian merchants and turbanned Turkish troops of the Ottoman Empire. They stormed ashore to conquer, only to be vanquished by time and absorbed into the dry volcanic earth. All that remains are their stone ruins, ghostly shapes wrapped in myth and mystery. Today the Cyclades are an inviting playground for pleasure seekers aboard Star Clippers. White-washed churches point tilted Greek crosses heavenward in skies of brilliant blue, while sun worshippers bask on the beaches under Helios’ golden gaze. Twisting cobblestone alleyways lead to tavernas where octopus salad and ouzo are in order. Ancient Minoan palaces and medieval fortresses whisper tales of pagan rites and knightly rituals. In hidden coves, Star Clipper finds harbours where pristine sands and warm crystalline waters beckon you to explore underwater grottos while beachgoers laze away under sunblessed skies; yet another dream-like day in the mythic, magical Cyclades.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Athens, Greece

Walking in the shadow of the Acropolis in the Agora, you can almost hear the voices of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle arguing about who was the greatest philosopher. In the soaring, subtly curved Doric columns of the Parthenon you see the masterful hand of Pericles, Athens’ greatest general and builder. And in the ethereally graceful bodies of the Karyatids supporting the porch of the Erectheum, you behold the beauty of the immortals. Ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy and epicentre of western civilisation, is a city for all eternity. Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 - Mykonos, Greece

One of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands and quite justifiably attracting visitors from all over the world, Mykonos is a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful beaches. Hora, the capital spreads around a colourful harbour in which fishing boats nestle side by side with luxury yachts. The brilliant white cubic houses with white-washed balconies, built close together, with little shops and tiny churches, make up the backstreets of the town. The harbour is overlooked by a variety of tavernas, and is a popular meeting place as the sun goes down, turning the brilliant whites to beautiful shades of pinks and reds Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Santorini, Greece

The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. Around 1500 BC, a volcanic eruption destroyed the centre of the island, leaving a crescent shaped rim of cliffs around a harbour formed in the volcano’s caldera. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Yithion, Greece

Yithion is the ancient port and naval base of Sparta, and is reputed to be the site where Paris and Helen of Troy fled to Egypt. The town is an ideal base from which to explore the district, and the Caves of Diros. Yithion guards the road to Mystra, the secret treasure of Greece, where centuries old Byzantine frescoes are almost perfectly intact. Trace the exquisite patterns that cover every inch of Mystra’s 14th century churches Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - At Sea

Our graceful ships fly along the waves, just like the legendary clippers of a century and a-half ago. And this is as much an adventure in highly evolved relaxation as it is in tradition Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Corfu, Greece

The lushest (and some say the loveliest) of all the Greek Islands, Corfu lies just a stone’s throw from the Albanian coast. And nowhere is the stunning natural beauty of Corfu more evident than in the small village of Paleocastritsa, where legend says Odysseus was washed ashore to be rescued by Nausicaa. Another sight not to be missed is the Achillion Palace built for the Empress Elizabeth of Austria and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm I. The British made Corfu a major base during the Napoleonic wars and you can see the lovely 1824 villa, Mon Repos, where Prince Philip was born. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Kotor, Montenegro

You might think you were sailing up a Norwegian fjord. In fact, this stunning rock-walled chasm splitting the coastal mountains of Montenegro is the longest arm of the sea in Southern Europe. As you venture deep into the heart of Boka Fjord, you’ll see several charming villages along the shore, but at its very end, Boka harbours one of the prettiest, unspoiled towns you’ll ever see, the medieval city of Kotor. Founded by the Romans, fortified with massive walls during the Byzantine era, then ruled by Venice for much of its history, Kotor has been naturally preserved by its isolation. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Dubrovnik, Croatia

It was George Bernard Shaw who said, “Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik.” Indeed, Dubrovnik is a treasure by any measure made more precious by its miraculous restoration. Crowned by the Minceta Tower, the 10th century city walls are the proud symbol of Dubrovnik’s colourful history. In the cathedral treasury, a collection of priceless golden reliquaries include the remains of St. Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint. Stroll up the Stradún to the elaborately colonnaded Rector’s Palace, designed by Onofrio de la Cava in 1435. This was the seat of the republic of Ragusa, a powerful Renaissanceera city-state boasting a fleet of 500 ships! Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Korcula, Croatia

Framed by dense green forests of allepo pine and twisted cypress, the red tile roofs of Korcula make an inviting picture that makes you want to see more of this charming island town whose most famous native son was Marco Polo. The pale wheat coloured stone Cathedral of St. Mark houses a treasure trove of Dalmatian and Italian art, including works by Tintoretto and Titian. Walk through the towering Land Gate for a great view of the town, try a traditional Korcula dish, spinning-wheel fettuccini. And if you’re lucky, you may witness Korcula’s thrilling Moreska Sword Dance. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Hvar, Croatia

The heavenly scent of lavender perfumes the air in the fields and valleys around the island of Hvar. Idyllically located just off the Dalmatian coast, the island and the little port named after it have been a favourite getaway ever since the time of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians and even Austro-Hungarian royalty. See the perfectly preserved Cathedral of St. Stephen, the serene cloistered Franciscan monastery and the Venetian Arsenal, where one of Europe’s first public theatres was established in 1612. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - Mali Losinj, Croatia

The warm sands of Cikat Bay are an irresistible magnet for beachgoers. And no wonder, the beach is 30 kilometres long and offers every watersport imaginable. In the fortified town of Veli Losinj, climb the 16th century tower and hear the history of the Uskoks, warrior refugees from the Turkish invasion who fled in 1526 to the coastal islands to start new lives under Hapsburg protection. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - Venice, Italy

After breakfast on board, depart for your return journey home Meals included: Breakfast

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Prices

Star Clipper : Eleven night Athens to Venice - Prices From:
Dates	Prices from
	Adult
11/07/2009	£2,491
15/08/2009	£2,491
Notes
Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing.
Price based on category 3 Cabin, upgrades available on request
Flight and transfer rates available on request
Third person rates available on request
Supplements
01/05/2009 - 31/10/2009: Port charges: £205

Prices for single travellers:

Star Clipper : Eleven night Athens to Venice - Prices From:
Dates	Prices from
	Adult
11/07/2009	£3,736
15/08/2009	£3,736
Notes
Prices are per person.
Price based on category 3 Cabin, upgrades available on request
Flight and transfer rates available on request
Guaranteed single rates available on request
Supplements
01/05/2009 - 31/10/2009: Port charges: £205

What's Included?

• Watersports

   All passengers have access to a watersports programme which includes: snorkelling, scuba diving, Sunfish sailing, water-skiing and windsurfing. Please note: all watersports are complimentary except for scuba diving. A certification card is required for scuba diving. A medical consent form is required for passengers wishing to become PADI Resort Certified during the cruise. Introductory Scuba Diving Courses are also available.

• Meals are scheduled as follows:

  6.30 to 10.30am Continental style breakfast, coffee, tea, pastries and juices in the Piano Bar.

  8.00 to 10.00am Breakfast buffet in the dining room.

  12.00 to 2.00pm Lunch buffet on board.

  5.00 to 6.00pm Hors d’oeuvres available in the Tropical Bar or Piano Bar

  7.30 to 10.00pm Dinner ‘à la carte’ in the Dining Room.

  11.30 to 12.30pm Midnight snack.

  Sometimes a deck lunch or beach barbecue will also be organised.

What's NOT Included?

• International flight, but these can be aranged for you
• Gratuities

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The Captain reserves the right to alter the itinerary in order to suit wind and weather conditions.

DOCUMENTARY AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS . A full valid passport is required for all holidays, valid for at least 6 months after the date of return to the UK. The passenger is responsible for ensuring compliance with all necessary visa and other documentary requirements for the entire holiday, and shall have received all medical inoculations necessary

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